Maine agency gets childhood trauma grant

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine mental health agency has been awarded a $1.6 million federal grant that will provide help to children who have been exposed to violence or some other trauma.

Community Counseling Center in Portland said the grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will be used to launch the Maine Children's Trauma Response Initiative.

For the initiative, Community Counseling will work with mental health agencies and community organizations throughout Maine to develop a system that will ensure that any child who has been exposed to violence has access to mental health treatment. Additional efforts include outreach, community education and training for mental health providers and community members.